[Future of long-term care for the aged in Japan]

Abstract

Four years have passed after the implementation of the long-term care insurance (LTCI). As one of the changes occurred after the LTCI, it was estimated that approximately 1,490,000 elderly persons were suffered from dementia. This means an elderly person with dementia is living in the 6.8 households where at least an elderly person is living. In 2003, the Welfare Bureau for the Elderly, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare disclosed the care for the elderly in 2015, when all baby boomers would be 65 years old. In the report, four principles were indicated; establishment of a novel care model for persons with dementia, a novel care system to support the continuous care from home to institution, improvement of the quality of care and providing appropriate rehabilitation and preventive care. A key word is the care to support the dignity of care. For instance, staff involved with the care for the elderly persons with dementia is required to play an appropriate role in their daily activities. Such novel activities to integrate medical, care and welfare services are being conducted in several areas in Japan.